Local group opposes housing plans calling for more affordable homes, and criticizes targets errors.
The group wants fewer retirement flats. They also desire more affordable homes. This was said by society chair, Don Mackenzie. His comments followed a council meeting where the NFDC cabinet agreed to a public consultation.
The proposed plan includes 10,420 new homes by 2036. This development is outside the national park. The consultation covers housing, health, the environment, and sustainable transport. Specific building sites are not yet decided.
Mackenzie says government housing targets are based on errors. He believes these targets are wrong for the New Forest and urges the council to strongly resist them. He wants stricter rules on expensive retirement flats.
The Lymington Society wants a range of property types to maintain balance in the town. They feel Lymington added too many pricey retirement flats, which harmed younger people seeking family homes.
The Society wants NFDC to boost affordable homes. They want a real percentage on all building sites and a reform of developer viability calculations. Developers use these to avoid building affordable homes.
The Society wants community input for key sites, including Lymington Town Hall and Solent Mead. The Town Hall might be sold in 2027. Mackenzie wants community consultation for site development, leading to a planning document.
Mackenzie knows more homes will be built, but says the Society has big concerns. The Local Plan review should address these. He says the community should have a say about Lymington’s center to ensure a development that everyone likes.
The council will host drop-in sessions where residents can discuss the plan with officials.